Meijer LPGA Player Commitment and Sponsor Exemption into Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give

Who:  

Gerina Piller, LPGA Tour professional, Lindsey McPherson, sponsor exemption

What: 

Tournament officials announced today LPGA Tour Professional Gerina Piller has committed to play in the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give. 

During the 2015 Meijer LPGA Classic, Gerina Piller made her way up the leaderboard Sunday shooting a final-round 64 to finish T2 at 17-under par. Piller started the day at 10-under par, six shots behind the then-leader Lizette Salas (-16). After birding seven of her first 12 holes, Piller was in the mix for clinching her first career victory. In 2014, Piller finished (-4) and T18.

So far, in 2016, Piller has had 6 Top-10 finishes and she is T2 in the KIA Drive to the Top Award, given to the player with the most Top-10 finishes in a season.

"I'm really looking forward coming back to Grand Rapids and competing at Blythefield Country Club.  I've had a great season so far and I can't wait to keep the momentum going," Piller stated.

In addition, the tournament announced today that Lindsey McPherson, a Michigan State University alum, will hold one sponsor exemption spot making her eligible to compete in championship play at the 2016 Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give.

McPherson was given a sponsor exemption in the 2014 Meijer LPGA Classic and this year, McPherson will be representing both MSU and Meijer. Today and during the Meijer LPGA Classic week, McPherson will be wearing co-branded Meijer and MSU apparel and on her golf bag.

"I am so thankful to Meijer and their team for giving me another opportunity to compete at this level. I'm proud to represent Meijer and Michigan State and I look forward to playing with the best female golfers in the world," McPherson said.

McPherson finished her career at MSU with a 77.42 scoring average (4,645 strokes in 60 rounds), played in 20 career tournaments, had two Top-10 finishes, 102 birdies in her college career and two-time academic All-Big Ten selection.

Similar to last year, proceeds from the tournament – and each of the week's festivities – will benefit the Meijer Simply Give program that restocks the shelves of food pantries throughout the Midwest. The Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give has donated more than $1.3 million to local food pantries through the Simply Give program.

For more information on the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give or to volunteer, please visit meijerLPGAclassic.com. 

To view a video recapping the 2015 Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give, please visit meijerLPGAclassic.com, and a video on the Meijer hunger relief efforts, including Simply Give, please visit http://newsroom.meijer.com/meijer-lpga-classic-forehunger.

Contact:  

Christina Fecher, 616-735-7968  

[email protected]  

Lesley Baker, 616-426-6225

[email protected]